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Meat quality service officials say plans are in place to ensure that a nationwide strike by meat inspectors doesn't jeopardise the country's meat supply.
Hundreds of meat inspectors have downed tools - demanding a 15% pay hike and a thirteenth cheque.
The International Meat Quality Assurance Services says it is illegal for an abattoir to slaughter without an inspector.
It says however both the industry and government won't allow unsafe meat to end up in the supply chain.
The group's Louis Visagie says they are working with government to ensure that quality isn't compromised.
"I cannot talk about this issue collectively, because our client base is spread all over South Africa, so we have to speak to them individually and that is what is so time consuming. We have asked the union to just give us some time to talk to our clients to make sure that they are aware of what is happening and that they give us the mandate to negotiate and find middle ground so that we can sort this out" he said.
